4 killed, 3 injured in Taliban attack at hotel in Afghan capital

KABUL, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Four assailants were killed while three people were seriously wounded in Taliban attack at a hotel frequented by foreigners in central Kabul capital of Afghanistan on Thursday night, spokesman for Interior Ministry said.

Four persons who hid pistols in their socks pretended that they came to have dinner in the restaurant of the Serena Hotel, which is located near the presidential palace at around 6:00 p.m. (local time), spokesman Seddiq Seddiqi told reporters near the site at around midnight.

The attackers begun firing at around 9 p.m., the official said, adding the police checked the security camera and found the attackers were at age of 20 or even younger than that age.

Two local security guards and a foreign worker of the hotel were seriously wounded, Seddiqi added.

Following the firing the Taliban insurgent group claimed the responsibility for the attack. A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid told local media that the insurgent fighters had killed several foreign and Afghan officials who took part in a New Year party.

Seddiqi said all the foreign and local guests were taken to a safe place on first floor of the five-star hotel where shooting occurred. He also rejected earlier reports that several guests were taken hostage by the gunmen.

Afghan Interior Minister Mohammad Omar Daudzai arrived at the scene after special police forces came to the site.

In 2008, five people, including three U.S. citizens were killed after the fortified hotel came under Taliban attack.

Authorities are investigating the incident.

Eleven policemen and a civilian were killed earlier on Thursday in a Taliban massive attack in the country's eastern province of Nangarhar. Five Taliban suicide bombers were also killed in the incident.